So you’ve just got fresh ink and now you’re wondering about tattoo aftercare. You may have many questions. How do I clean my tattoo? What lotion should I use? When will I be cool? Healing a tattoo properly comes down to a cocktail of self-love, patience, consistency, and the occasional willpower to resist an itch.

Choosing your first tattoo can come with a lot of questions. Even if you routinely get tattooed, you might not be entirely sure what you want next, but you know you want something. If you’re feeling the call of the needle again, here’s our advice to make sure you get a tattoo that will leave you stoked.